Faint Sounds of Us Hanging Out is the latest record from Hartford’s Queen Moo, and boy does it intrigue. The album is a lo-fi adventure that gives you the feeling it took place in a bedroom and nowhere else. The instruments have a vivid sound to them: in tracks like “Flinch” electric guitar signals distort and reverberate to unpredictable drum patterns. There are soft piano overtures, trumpet segments, and quirky vocal harmonies, but it is the girt of the production that is most charming. All the vibrancy of the instrumentation has a grainy tinge to it, a real DIY touch. The record places the listener right in the middle of the recording process, hanging out with the band. The album release party is set for August 25th at The State House in New Haven. We are streaming “Periphery” below to get you ready for the show. – Rene Cobar
New Track: “Say” – Arch of Love
Consisting of Chelsea Brennan and Chris Schackerman (Literature, Mercury Girls, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart), Arch of Love recently dropped a new single, “Say,” via 6131 Records. The song stretches in a silky, synth-pop manner, but despite the smooth progression, Brennan voices concern over poor, conflicting communication. That coasting instrumentation contrasts with the turbulence within the relationship. The duo will be performing this Sunday, August 4 at Ortlieb’s, on a lineup that also includes Crozet and Hibou.
Hood Smoke “Lone Lorraine”
Hood Smoke has released the first single, “Lone Lorraine”, from their forthcoming LP, Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, which is due out August 23rd via ears&eyes Records. This is the band’s third studio album and first since 2018’s Cannonball Porch.
Hood Smoke is the soulful rock of Bryan Doherty (bass, vocals), Michael Caskey (drums, piano), Jim Tashjian (guitar, vocals), Matt Gold (guitar, lapsteel), Rob Clearfield (organ, Wurlitzer), Allison Orobia (vocals), and Anthony Gravino (guitar, tambourine).
You can catch Hood Smoke at Hungry Brain on August 23rd.
Shots Fired! Shots Fired!
Hardcore Punk group Shots Fired! Shots Fired! Has released the first single, “Black Friday All Star”, from their forthcoming EP which is due out August 30th via No Trend Records.
You can catch them on August 17th at The Burgundy Room in Waukegan as part of Shredfest 2019.
Throwin’ Bo’s brings Max Gardener, Half Stack, Chelsea Rose & Easy Love
This Friday August 2, the Milk Bar is the lucky host of another Throwin’ Bo’s night. Those boys sure know how to put a bill together. The night will feature a couple of Bay Area favorites and some sweet LA gems. From the Area we have Half Stack, those fun and funny folk music folks that know how to tickle a guitar. There’s Max Gardener, whose gentle dreamy bedroom folk will make you bat your lashes and tap your fingers. Tied for best former Summer Twin we have Chelsea Rose with a true and lovely voice and delightful presence–see video demonstration below–and Easy Love, that 60’s inspired indie pop that hits just the right spot. Me oh man, what a night! – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
The Meringues – New Pop Rock Video “Cold Nights”
Kingston’s favorite jangly pop rock group The Meringues have released a new music video. “Cold Nights” is a catchy power pop song with lyrics that aren’t as happy as the vibes of the track itself. The dueling vocals of Amanda Pants and Ted Evans give the track excellent personality and perhaps both sides of the story being told. You can see them perform live at The Mansion in Kingston on September 13th along with Jimbo and Toronto’s Pacer. – Kris Gies
Aweful “Me Me Me”
Rock trio Aweful released their debut single, “Me Me Me”, last week. This is the work of Traci Trouble (HotLips Messiah), Lucy Dekay (Mystery Actions) and Izzy Price (Velcro Lewis Group). The single is taken from the trio’s debut EP, which will be released on August 2nd via BeerCan.
You can help Aweful celebrate the release of their EP on August 1st at Empty Bottle with Touched By Ghoul, Boybrain, and DJ Andy Ryan.
The Hands Resist Him
Doom Metal trio The Hands Resist Him released their debut full-length album, Stone Hands, earlier this month. This is the group formed by guitarist/Bassist Eric Mayer, who is now joined by Alex McGady (vocals, guitar), and Ashwinn Torke (drums).
The album’s opening track and lead single, “Collapse”, is a ferocious 11 minute journey through the world of dark and explosive metal. It is also a great introduction to what this trio can do if you are not familiar with their 2018 EP, “Taker"
Gold Child releases single “Undertow,” announce debut LP, plays Baby’s tonight
"Been disconnected / everything’s feeling so hectic," Emily Fehler muses, just within seconds of the song’s start. "Undertow" is the beginning of a tellingly honest vignette by a clever, talented musician. Under her Gold Child stage name, Emily has had her share of recognition with mentions from Rolling Stone (Top 200), NPR (Best New Music), Refinery29 (a media outlet which often focuses on artists empowering women), and Brooklyn Vegan. With its warm aura blending country and dreampop, the song is at once disarming and pleasant in its nostalgic overtones, with the dark folk elements bringing to mind powerful singer/songwriters like Angel Olsen or Neko Case.
The country-influenced instrumentation has been a driving force in developing her music since graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2012(She’s a self-professed student of country music’s golden era with a slight obsession with Patsy Cline and Emmylou Harris). That, plus the lyrical content in "Undertow," paints a picture of a musician interested in taking American roots music to new places and the courage to face any personal demons she gets dealt by life – in this single’s case, a problem with anxiety: "Gotta get to the right time and place someday," leads to the chorus that carries Gold Child’s message: "So emotional / lost all my control / slipping in slow motion down this waterfall / stuck in the undertow."
With tonight’s show at Baby’s All Right, Emily Fehler will have her chance to share long-awaited material. Additonally the self-titled debut album, will be released digitally on Friday, August 9th. – Susan Moon
Krust Toons: “The Police” by Tedd Hazard
Krust Toons: "The Police" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.
The Deli Philly’s Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: The Tisburys
Having had many Deli contributors past and present come from the Scranton/Wilke-Barre area, we happen to know a bit about the vibrant music community that has been steadily building there for years. And Philly has certainly benefited from the inflow of talented creators coming to our city to share their music and possibly make their mark. Like many who are just getting started, The Tisburys’s Tyler Asay and longtime collaborative partner John Domenico cut their teeth at the local coffee shop open mic nights in Northeast PA, before heading south to our neck of the woods, eventually teaming up with drummer Andrew Huston and bassist Doug Keller. The solidified quartet is currently working on a new EP, a supplementary follow-up to this year’s Wax Nostalgic. The Tisburys is also our most recent Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner, and you can check out our interview with the gang HERE.
Folk songstress Evelyn Cormier releases new single, plays Tupelo Music Hall 08.04
This summer has already gifted us some excellent music from New England’s rising talents, one of them being the ever-glowing Evelyn Cormier of New Hampshire. The singer-songwriter’s latest single “Peach Skies” features a vivid acoustic guitar chord progression and ambient sounds that set the stage for string instrument swells, an undulating bassline and Cormier’s sumptuous vocals to shine. The song leads the listener to an atmospheric sonic garden where Cormier’s vocal harmonies and an uplifting piano cadence are its most impressive blooms. Evelyn Cormier is set to perform in New Hampshire at the Tupelo Music Hall on August 4th. The singer-songwriter embraces folk’s most appealing aspects and makes each song her own; we are streaming “Peach Skies” below for you. – Rene Cobar